WHAT IS A REFUGEE?
There is often a confusion between refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers - perpetuated by the media and politicians usually for political purposes. But let's dispel any myths and make it clear.
Refugee |
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) defines a refugee as a person who has fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. The legal definition of a refugee is set out in the 1951 Refugee Convention.
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Internally Displaced Person (IDP) |
An IDP is a person who has been forced to flee their home but has not crossed an international border. They are displaced as a result of internal strife or natural disaster, and try to find safety in any part of the country they can. They are not protected under international law and illegible for aid, however, UNHCR assists IDPs.
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Asylum Seeker |
An asylum seeker is a refugee who wishes to seek legal protection and material assistance in another country. Seeking asylum is a human right.
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Migrant |
A migrant is a person who resides outside of their country of origin who has left for personal or economic reasons. They are not entitled to international protection, and are not asylum seekers or refugees. Migration may be caused by poverty, political unrest, natural disaster or other reasons.
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All of the above are entitled to their human rights, regardless of their legal status.
LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
The 1951 Refugee Convention & 1967 ProtocolThe 1951 Refugee Convention (also known as the Geneva Convention) has 149 State parties, and defined the term 'refugee' and outlined the rights of refugees and the legal obligation of States to protect them. The core principle of the Convention is non-refoulement, the notion that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to freedom or life. Therefore, refugees are granted protection in a 'host nation'. The Convention, followed by its 1967 Protocol, act as the main legal documents for refugees. The Convention was originally limited to European refugees after World War Two, but the Protocol expanded the scope to global displacement. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has helped over 50 million refugees (and counting) since 1951.
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